Methods and apparatus for enhanced radiation characteristics from antennas and related components

ABSTRACT

Aspect of the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus producing enhanced radiation characteristics, e.g., wideband behavior, in or for antennas and related components by providing concentric sleeves, with air or dielectric material as a spacer, where the sleeves include one or more conductive layers, at least a portion of which includes fractal resonators closely spaced, in terms of wavelength. A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to surfaces that include dual-use or multiple-use apertures. Such aperture engine surfaces can include a first layer of antenna arrays, a second layer including a metal-fractal backplane player, and a third layer including solar cells for solar cell or solar oriented power collection. Fractal metamaterial ribbons with multiple closely-packed fractal resonators are also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/019,802, filed Jun. 27, 2018 and entitled “Methods And Apparatus ForEnhanced Radiation Characteristics From Antennas And RelatedComponents,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/483,272, filed Apr. 10, 2017 and entitled “Methods and Apparatusfor Enhanced Radiation Characteristics From Antennas and RelatedComponents,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,014,586, which issued on Jul. 3, 2018,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/714,844, filedMay 18, 2015 and entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Enhanced RadiationCharacteristics From Antennas and Related Components,” now U.S. Pat. No.9,620,853, which issued on Apr. 11, 2017, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 12/761,283, filed Apr. 15, 2010 and entitled“Methods and Apparatus for Enhanced Radiation Characteristics FromAntennas and Related Components” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,035,849, whichissued on May 19, 2015, which claims priority to (i) U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/169,351, filed Apr. 15, 2009 and entitled“Method and Apparatus for Enhanced Radiation Characteristics fromAntennas and Related Components”; (ii) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/187,459, filed Jun. 16, 2009 and entitled “Satellitesand Spacecraft with Aperture Engine Surfaces”; and (iii) U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/222,614, filed Jul. 2, 2009 andentitled “Voice Activated Switching”; U.S. application Ser. No.16/019,802, filed Jun. 27, 2018 and entitled “Methods And Apparatus ForEnhanced Radiation Characteristics From Antennas And RelatedComponents,” claims priority to (i) U.S. Provisional Application No.62/525,870, filed Jun. 28, 2017 and entitled “Aperture Engine Arrays,”and (ii) U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/528,913, filed Jul. 5, 2017and entitled “Fractal Metamaterial Ribbon”; the entire contents of allof which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Antennas are used to typically radiate and/or receive electromagneticsignals, preferably with antenna gain, directivity, and efficiency.Practical antenna design traditionally involves trade-offs betweenvarious parameters, including antenna gain, size, efficiency, andbandwidth.

Antenna design has historically been dominated by Euclidean geometry. Insuch designs, the closed area of the antenna is directly proportional tothe antenna perimeter. For example, if one doubles the length of anEuclidean square (or “quad”) antenna, the enclosed area of the antennaquadruples. Classical antenna design has dealt with planes, circles,triangles, squares, ellipses, rectangles, hemispheres, paraboloids, andthe like.

With respect to antennas, prior art design philosophy has been to pick aEuclidean geometric construction, e.g., a quad, and to explore itsradiation characteristics, especially with emphasis on frequencyresonance and power patterns. Unfortunately antenna design hasconcentrated on the ease of antenna construction, rather than on theunderlying electromagnetics, which can cause a reduction in antennaperformance.

Practical antenna design traditionally involves trade-offs betweenvarious parameters, including antenna gain, size, efficiency, andbandwidth. Antenna size is also traded off during antenna design thattypically reduces frequency bandwidth. Being held to particular sizeconstraints, the bandwidth performance for antenna designs such asdiscone and bicone antennas is sacrificed, resulting in reducedbandwidth.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide techniques, includingsystems and/or methods, that address problems noted previously.

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to methods producingenhanced radiation characteristics, e.g., wideband behavior, in or forantennas and related components by providing concentric sleeves, withair or dielectric material as a spacer, where the sleeves include one ormore conductive layers, at least a portion of which includes fractalresonators closely spaced, in terms of wavelength.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed tosystems/apparatus producing enhanced radiation characteristics, e.g.,wideband behavior, in or for antennas and related components byproviding concentric sleeves, with air or dielectric material as aspacer, where the sleeves include one or more conductive layers, atleast a portion of which includes fractal resonators closely spaced, interms of wavelength.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to surfaces thatinclude dual-use or multiple-use apertures. Such aperture enginesurfaces can include a top (or first) layer of antenna arrays, a middle(or second) layer of a metal-fractal backplane player, and a third (orbottom) layer for solar cells or solar oriented power collection.

Of course, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing orfollowing embodiments and aspects can be combined in any practicalcombination.

It should be understood that other embodiments according to the presentdisclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, wherein exemplary embodiments areshown and described by way of illustration. The systems and methods ofthe present disclosure are capable of other and different embodiments,and details of such are capable of modification in various otherrespects. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to beregarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure may be more fully understood from thefollowing description when read together with the accompanying drawings,which are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as limiting.The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedon the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic end view of a radiation enhancement systemutilizing a number of nested sleeves, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a portion of a sleeve that includes repeated conductivetraces that are configured in a fractal-like shape, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of an aperture engine surface, inaccordance with alternate embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 depicts a box diagram of a method of enhancing antenna radiationcharacteristics, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the front and back of an implemented apertureengine array panel, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a wireless transmission-receiver systemused with the aperture engine array of FIGS. 6A-6B;

FIG. 8 depicts an example of a fractal metamaterial ribbon according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

While certain embodiments depicted in the drawings, one skilled in theart will appreciate that the embodiments depicted are illustrative andthat variations of those shown, as well as other embodiments describedherein, may be envisioned and practiced within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a full understanding of aspects and embodiments of thepresent disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one ordinarilyskilled in the art that aspects and embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, well-known structures and techniques have not beenshown in detail to for ease in comprehension.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the presentdisclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. Moreover, with regard to terminology used herein, areference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” The term“some” refers to one or more. Underlined and/or italicized headings andsubheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the presentdisclosure, and are not referred to in connection with theinterpretation of the description of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatusproducing or enhancing radiation characteristics, e.g., widebandbehavior, directionality, gain, etc., in antennas and related componentsby providing concentric sleeves, with air or other dielectric materialas a spacer, where the sleeves include one or more conductive layers, atleast a portion of which includes fractal resonators closely spaced, interms of wavelength.

FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic end view of a radiation enhancement system100 utilizing a number of nested sleeves, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted, system 100 caninclude a number of nested shells or sleeves, with three (sleeves 110,120, and 130) being shown. As shown, the sleeves (110, 120, 130) can beconfigured around a pre-existing antenna 1 to enhances radiationcharacteristics, e.g., wideband behavior, directionality, gain, etc., ofthe antenna 1.

Each of the sleeves (or shells), e.g., sleeve 110, can include one ormore layers of dielectric substrates and a conductive portion orportions, e.g., layers or coatings, indicated by “C”. Each conductiveportion can include a conductive array or resonators or resonantstructures (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). A portion of the resonators orresonant structures can be configured as or include self-similar, orfractal, geometries. The sleeves (110, 120, 130) are not necessarilyclosed, e.g., about antenna 1, and can be open, as indicted by cuttingplanes with arrows.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the system 100 of FIG. 1. As shown,a sleeve (e.g., sleeve 110) can include a number of resonant conductivestructures 112 configured in an array 114 on a dielectric substrate 116.Suitable dielectric substrates and materials (e.g., acting as spacers)can include, but are not limited to, polyimide, parylene, polyester,aramid, composite, glass, or similar materials, with suitable adhesives.As noted previously, a portion (or all) of the resonant structures caninclude resonators having a fractal geometry. The sleeves themselves,e.g., sleeves 110 and 120, can be separated by air or a suitabledielectric material, indicated by D.

With continued reference to both FIGS. 1-2, it should be appreciatedthat while sleeves 110, 120, and 130 are depicted as being concentriccircular cylinders, this configuration of the sleeves is simply for easein conveying features of the system 100. Other embodiments can actuallybe open shaped cylinders (i.e., open 2D shapes that extend in anorthogonal direction forming a surface) or nested surfaces that are notcylinders; moreover, the nested structures do not necessarily have to beexactly or substantially concentric.

As indicated previously, each shell or sleeve (e.g., sleeve 110 ofFIG. 1) can include multiple resonators. The resonators can be repeatedpatterns of conductive traces. These conductive traces can be closedgeometric shapes, e.g., rings, loops, closed fractals, etc. Theresonator(s) can be self similar to at least second iteration. Theresonators can include split-ring shapes, for some embodiments. Theresonant structures are not required to be closed shapes, however, andopen shapes can be used for such. In exemplary embodiments, theresonators are relatively closely packed, e.g., with adjacentseparations less than about ⅕λ (or less) at lowest operational frequency(longest operational wavelength). Other examples of separate distancesbetween adjacent resonators or resonant structures can include any valuebetween ⅕λ to 1/10λ inclusive at lowest operational frequency (e.g.,which can be in VHF or UHF frequencies).

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a shell or sleeve 300 (only aportion is shown) that includes repeated conductive traces that areconfigured in a fractal shape 302 (the individual closed traces, asshown by 302, which is offset in the figure for the sake ofillustration). For the exemplary embodiment shown, each resonator shape302 may be, e.g., about 1 cm on a side. The conductive trace ispreferably made of copper though any suitable conductive material and/orsemi-conductor material can be used. While exemplary fractal shapes areshown in FIG. 3, the present disclosure is not limited to such and anyother suitable fractal shapes (including generator motifs) may be usedin accordance with the present disclosure. The dimensions and type offractal shape can be the same for each shell/sleeve type but can varybetween shells/sleeves types. This variation (e.g., scaling of the samefractal shape) can afford increased bandwidth for some applications.

Examples of suitable fractal shapes for use in one or more resonators orresonator arrays of the nested sleeves can include, but are not limitedto, fractal shapes described in one or more of the following patents,owned by the assignee of the present disclosure, the entire contents ofall of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos.6,452,553; 6,104,349; 6,140,975; 7,145,513; 7,256,751; 6,127,977;6,476,766; 7,019,695; 7,215,290; 6,445,352; 7,126,537; 7,190,318;6,985,122; 7,345,642; and, 7,456,799.

Other suitable fractal shape for a resonator or resonant structures caninclude any of the following: a Koch fractal, a Minkowski fractal, aCantor fractal, a torn square fractal, a Mandelbrot, a Caley treefractal, a monkey's swing fractal, a Sierpinski gasket, and a Juliafractal, a contour set fractal, a Sierpinski triangle fractal, a Mengersponge fractal, a dragon curve fractal, a space-filling curve fractal, aKoch curve fractal, a Lypanov fractal, and a Kleinian group fractal.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to surfaces thatinclude dual-use or multiple-use apertures. FIG. 4 depicts an explodedview of an aperture engine surface 400, in accordance with alternateembodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure also include one or more of such surfaces, which can be usedfor desired purposes. As shown in FIG. 4, such a surface 400 can includemultiple layers, e.g., a top layer of antenna arrays 410, a middle layerof a metal-fractal backplane player 420, and a layer for solar cell orsolar oriented power collection 430 (including solar cells). Since theapertures for such embodiments can provide multiple functions such ascollecting power (e.g., from the sun in exemplary embodiments) and thentransmit the energy as RF radiation, they can be referred to as“engines” that depend on an “aperture,” hence the term “apertureengine.”

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the antenna array layer 410 may becomposed of or include an array of antennas 412 on a dielectricsubstrate 414. The antennas 412 can include fractal antennas/resonators,which can afford higher gain for the given size aperture. The fractalantennas 412 can be of a desired shape or include a desired fractalgenerator (e.g., a Sierpinski triangle or square, Koch, Hilbert,torn-square, Mandelbrot, Minkowski, which can be open or island forms).It should be noted that the elements depicted for the antenna layer inFIG. 4 are representative of individual fractals of desired shape (suchas those just listed). The metal-fractal (Metfractal) backplane layer420 can be treated or considered the same way. In other words, fractalantennas 422 of desired shape (e.g., fractal generator, or motif, anddimensions) on a dielectric substrate 424 can be used. The solar celllayer can include arrays of photovoltaic cells 432 on a suitablesubstrate 434. Exemplary embodiments of such aperture engine surfacesaccording to the present disclosure can include or be sued withsatellites or spacecraft that can have one or more aperture enginepanels. Other embodiments can of course be included within the scope ofthe present disclosure, e.g., in remote environments having an abundanceof sunlight. An exemplary embodiment of an aperture engine surface isshown and described for FIGS. 6A-6B. Moreover, other shapes of panelsand/or antennas of the antenna array layer and/or fractal elements ofthe Metfractal Backplane Layer and/or solar cell layer may be usedwithin the scope of the present disclosure; suitable solar panels, e.g.,as commercially available, may be used.

FIG. 5 depicts a box diagram of a method 500 of enhancing antennaradiation characteristics, in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure. As shown, one or more antennas can be provided,e.g., as described at 502. A nested arrangement of one or more sleevescan be provided, with each sleeve (or, shell) including an conductivelayer or portion, e.g., as described at 504. Of course, for the casewhere a single sleeve or shell is utilized, the term “nested” is notapplicable, strictly speaking. It should be noted that for someapplications/embodiments, an antenna does not have to be separate fromthe one or more sleeves, meaning that the one or more sleeves themselvescan function as or include one or more antennas.

Continuing with the description of method 500, a portion (or theentirety) of the one or more sleeves can be provided with fractalresonators or resonant structures (e.g., structure 302 of FIG. 3), e.g.,as described at 506. Accordingly during operation, radiationcharacteristics of the antenna(s) can be improved or enhanced, e.g., asdescribed at 508. Such radiation characteristics can include, but arenot limited to, increasing the bandwidth, directionality, and/or gain ofthe antenna(s).

A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to novel antennaarrays composed of solar-cell collection panels with additional layers,which when the panels are electrically combined, constitute anautonomous or partially autonomous antenna array. Such antenna arrayscan be designed for microwave applications, radar applications, and/orapplications at other wavelengths, e.g., visible light includingultraviolet and infrared. The panels may include the layers notedpreviously, with the solar cells acting as a power collection mechanism,and/or an electrical reflector for the antenna or antenna systemadjacent to the solar cells. The antenna system may be comprised of avariety of electrically combined transparent elements, or antennaelements, which are preferably highly lacunar: that is, possessing anappreciable number of holes, apertures, or openings (e.g., as apercentage of total area) over a variety of size scales. Example oflacunarity as a percentage of total area can include but are not limitedto 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, etc.

Solar energy passes through the antenna system that is converted topower by the lower layer of solar cells. This power may then be storedand/or used directly to, e.g., run a low noise amplifier, a receiversystem, a data acquisition and processing unit, and a wirelesstransceiver for control and data acquisition (for example, such as shownin FIGS. 6A-6B and 7). These components can be located, e.g., as a lowerlayer in back of the solar cells and thus the solar cells shield theantenna from the electronics. It will be appreciated that additionalelectronics or other configurations of layers may be utilized inalternate embodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the front and back of an implemented apertureengine array panel 600, in this particular embodiment devised withfractal meta-material. As shown in FIG. 6A, panel 600 includes aplurality of resonators 602 configured as a close-packed array 604. Thebackside of the panel 600 is shown in FIG. 6B, and includes many of theelectronic components mentioned above. FIG. 7 depicts an example of awireless transmission (transceiver) system used with the aperture enginearray of FIGS. 6A-6B. Wireless transmission system 700 is shown in FIG.7, as collected on and controller by a remote computer. The wirelesstransmission system 700 can include a transmitter/receiver (transceiver)and can be used to communicate with, e.g., control and/or transmit andreceive data to and from the aperture engine array panel 600.

It will also be appreciated that such an aperture engine, e.g., apertureengine panel 600, may be used not only for receive functionality (Rx)but for transceiver (Tr/Rx) or transmit only (Tr) functionality byincluding electronic components that do transmission. Thus such anaperture engine panel is capable and may be embodied as a transmittingsystem, e.g., a radar system, etc.

An aperture engine panel can be used for and act as a module which maybe used separately or within a larger array of such aperture enginepanels. Such an array of a plurality of aperture engine panels may bearranged in a variety of fashions (e.g., orientations or directions,which may include multiple orientations or directions such as whendisposed on a multifaceted or curved substrate) for optimum receptionand/or transmission in a particular direction or directions. It will beappreciated that such an aperture engine array may have its panelscontrolled individually and separately, e.g., via wirelesscommunication, allowing for a controlled delay line to be invoked on(or, implemented for) each panel in order to phase up the panels for thearray for phased-array operation, to synthesize a large, beam steeredaperture. Such as aperture engine array may be designed so as to have aminimum or a total absence of wired cables for power, control, and/ordata acquisition. Essentially, for such embodiments, the aperture enginearray is physically autonomous, and may be controlled remotely. Theaperture engine array poses benefit by providing a higher gain viewtowards a particular direction, and/or ability to look at several viewssimultaneously. Thus, such aperture engine arrays may be particularlyuseful in applications of radio astronomy; particular applications mayinclude, but are not limited to, very-long-baseline interferometry(VLBI), the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), andspace-based ultra-long wavelength (ULW) arrays, to name just a fewexamples for preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

An aperture engine array may be ground-based, or conformed to orimplemented on or with another object or structure, e.g., on asatellite, structure, vessel, vehicle, or building. It will beappreciated that in other embodiments, an aperture engine array may alsobe utilized for or on other structures, objects, etc.

A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to and provides anovel electronic component, which may be referred to as a fractalmetamaterial ribbon. It can include, and in exemplary embodiments doesinclude, a plurality of closely spaced resonators, each a duplicate (ornear duplicate) of the others, and geometrically shaped, at least inpart, as a fractal of two or more geometric iterations (e.g., levels ororders of iteration).

FIG. 8 depicts an example of a fractal metamaterial ribbon 800, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Asshown, ribbon 800 can include an array of close-packed fractalresonators 802 disposed on a substrate 804. The resonators 802 areclosely distributed but do not physically touch one another directly,meaning they are galvanically isolated. The distribution of theresonators is preferably but not necessarily uniform. Substrate 804 canbe closed, e.g., configured as a loop, or can be open. Any suitablesubstrate can be used. Examples include but are not limited to FR4,polyamide, polyimide, Kapton®, suitable plastics, and the like. Example800 may be implemented for microwave use, and is shown along with a dimefor a size comparison.

The resonators in the example shown as 802 in FIG. 8 are closely-spacedelectrically, producing and facilitating a strong and efficient surfaceevanescent-wave transmission along the length of the “ribbon.” As shown,there is no direct connection between resonators. The fractalmetamaterial ribbon acts as a waveguide (e.g., wire) for electromagnetictransmissions, with the unique characteristic that the resonance andpassband of the transmission is not determined by the length of theribbon, but by the chosen resonator(s) so employed in the plurality.

In an exemplary embodiment, although it will be appreciated that thereare many others, a fractal metamaterial ribbon can be used for anantenna, as a groundplane or counterpoise. Because there will be aduplicated current on each resonator, the entire fractal metamaterialribbon can be employed to radiate, this allowing RF radiation along itsentire length of resonators. This may benefit circumstances in whichpartial obstacles (obstruction) might otherwise impede transmissionand/or reception to other locations, as there may be length of theribbon which is not so shadowed or obstructed. In exemplary embodiments,a fractal metamaterial ribbon may have multiple layers with differentsized resonators, thus allowing the possibility of wider overall passbands. In some application, a fractal metamaterial ribbon can beohmically (galvanically, or electrically) terminated at one or bothends.

In still yet another embodiment, a fractal material ribbon, e.g., ribbon800 in FIG. 8, can be used as a multiple radiator across a large rangeof azimuthal angles, filling in angular gaps, e.g., such as often plaguedipoles and other antennas. Exemplary embodiments utilize ribbon 800 ina neckband as an antenna system.

It will be appreciated that the resonant structures of theshells/sleeves according to the present disclosure may be formed or madeby any suitable techniques and with any suitable materials. For example,semiconductors with desired doping levels and dopants may be used asconductive materials. Suitable metals or metal containing compounds maybe used. Suitable techniques may be used to place conductors on/in ashell, including, but no limited to, printing techniques,photolithography techniques, etching techniques, and the like. Further,related components that can be used with enhanced antenna can includetransceivers, transmitters, receivers, baluns, groundplanes, and thelike.

It will also be appreciated that the shells may be made of any suitablematerial(s). Printed circuit board materials may be used. Flexiblecircuit board materials are preferred. Other material may, however, beused for the shells and the shells themselves can be made ofnon-continuous elements, e.g., a frame or framework. For example,various plastics may be used.

In exemplary embodiments, representative frequencies of operation caninclude those at VHF frequencies (e.g., 30-300 MHz) or higher, e.g.,over a range of 500 MHz to 1.3 GHz, 3 GHz to 5 GHz, and the like, thoughothers may of course be realized.

While embodiments are shown and described herein as having shells,sleeves, or cylinders in the shape of concentric rings (circularcylinders), such nested shapes can take other shapes in otherembodiments. For example, one or more shells can have a generallyspherical shape (with possible minor deviations for structural support);one or more shells can have a oblate or prolate spheroid shape; one ormore shells can have a parabolic shape, an ellipsoidal shape, and/or ahyperbolic shape; other shapes are of course possible within the scopeof the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the shells couldform a nested arrangement of such spherical shapes, around an object tobe shielded (at the targeted/selected frequencies/wavelengths).Moreover, the term “cylinder” can include not only reference to circularcylinders but any cylinder formed from a 2D line segment (joined or not)that extends along an axis orthogonal to the 2D line segment. Forexample, sleeve/shell cross-sections of angular shapes, e.g.,triangular, hexagonal, may be used. Moreover, any such shells accordingto the present disclosure can be shaped to act as lenses and/orwaveguides or, in effect, as various optical elements, e.g., divergingor converging prisms and the like.

Exemplary Embodiments

1. An aperture engine array having a plurality of aperture enginepanels, wherein each panel comprises: an antenna layer having at leastone antenna array, each array configured to receive and/or transmitradio frequency (RF) energy over a range of frequencies, wherein eacharray comprises fractal resonators configured to allow incidentradiation to pass through to an adjacent layer; a backplane layer, atleast a portion of which contains a metal surface that acts as areflective backplane for the at least one antenna array while allowingincident RF radiation pass to an adjacent layer; and a solar cell layerincluding a panel of solar cells configured to absorb incident radiationand providing power thus provide a power source for the transmission andreception of the RF energy.

2. The aperture engine array of embodiment 1, wherein the apertureengine array comprises a plurality of aperture engine panelsconfigurable in multiple positions for optimum reception and/ortransmission in a particular direction or directions.

3. The aperture engine array of embodiment 1, wherein a plurality ofpanels are configured to comprise a larger surface for greater gatheringof incident radiation and greater gain for the function of the antennae.

4. The aperture engine array of embodiment 2, wherein said array is partof a satellite or spacecraft.

5. The aperture engine array of embodiment 3, wherein the array isattached to a satellite or spacecraft.

6. The aperture engine array of embodiment 1, wherein a transmittingapparatus is attached to the aperture array and is powered by thecollective power derived from the solar cells of the lowest layers ofthe aperture engine array panels.

7. The aperture engine array of embodiment 1, wherein a receivingapparatus is attached to the aperture array and is powered by thecollected power derived from the solar cells of the lowest layer.

8. The aperture engine array of embodiment 3, wherein the plurality isplaced in a remote environment and controlled by remote means.

9. The aperture engine array of embodiment 1, wherein the apertureengine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

10. The aperture engine array of embodiment 3, wherein the apertureengine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

11. The aperture engine array of embodiment 4, whereby the apertureengine array is utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

12. The aperture engine array of embodiment 5, whereby the apertureengine arrays utilized to radar transmissions and reception.

13. The aperture engine array of embodiment 6, wherein the apertureengine arrays utilized for radar transmissions and reception.

14. The aperture engine array of embodiment 6, wherein the apertureengine arrays utilized for transmissions and reception.

15. The aperture engine array of embodiment 8, wherein the apertureengine array is utilized for radar transmission and reception.

16. An aperture engine panel comprising: an antenna layer having atleast one antenna array, each array configured to receive and/ortransmit radio frequency (RF) energy over a range of frequencies,wherein each array comprises fractal resonators configured to allowincident radiation to pass through to an adjacent layer; a backplanelayer, at least a portion of which contains a metal surface that acts asa reflective backplane for the at least one antenna array while allowingincident RF radiation pass to an adjacent layer; and a solar cell layerincluding a panel of solar cells configured to absorb incident radiationand providing power thus provide a power source for the transmission andreception of the RF energy.

17. A fractal metamaterial ribbon including a plurality of close-packedfractal resonators disposed on a substrate.

The components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages thathave been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, or thediscussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope ofprotection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated.These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or differentcomponents, steps, features, objects, benefits, and/or advantages. Thesealso include embodiments in which the components and/or steps arearranged and/or ordered differently. For example, in some embodiments,resonators (e.g. 302, 502, and/or 802) can include (in whole or in part)resonators or resonator structures or portions that are not fractal innature, e.g., split-ring resonators and the like. Thus, resonatorsaccording to the present disclosure (fractal and/or non-fractal) can bedesigned and implemented to produce a desired magnetic susceptibility,e.g., to create strong magnetic coupling to an applied electromagneticfield and/or produce negative permeability.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments and/or portionsof embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented and/orfacilitated in/with computer-readable storage media (e.g., hardware,software, firmware, or any combinations of such), and can be distributedand/or practiced over one or more networks. Steps or operations (orportions of such) as described herein, including processing functions toderive, learn, or calculate formula and/or mathematical models utilizedand/or produced by the embodiments of the present disclosure, can beprocessed by one or more suitable processors, e.g., central processingunits (“CPUs) implementing suitable code/instructions in any suitablelanguage (machine dependent on machine independent).

While certain embodiments and/or aspects have been described herein, itwill be understood by one skilled in the art that the methods, systems,and apparatus of the present disclosure may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit thereof.

For example, while certain wavelengths/frequencies of operation havebeen described, these are merely representative and otherwavelength/frequencies may be utilized or achieved within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

Furthermore, while certain preferred fractal generator shapes have beendescribed others may be used within the scope of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are to be considered inall respects as illustrative of the present disclosure and notrestrictive.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain.

All articles, patents, patent applications, and other publications thathave been cited in this disclosure are incorporated herein by reference.

The phrase “means for” when used in a claim is intended to and should beinterpreted to embrace the corresponding structures and materials thathave been described and their equivalents. Similarly, the phrase “stepfor” when used in a claim is intended to and should be interpreted toembrace the corresponding acts that have been described and theirequivalents. The absence of these phrases from a claim means that theclaim is not intended to and should not be interpreted to be limited tothese corresponding structures, materials, or acts, or to theirequivalents.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow.That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as isconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in theclaims when interpreted in light of this specification and theprosecution history that follows, except where specific meanings havebeen set forth, and to encompass all structural and functionalequivalents.

Relational terms such as “first” and “second” and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another, withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or orderbetween them. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” and any othervariation thereof when used in connection with a list of elements in thespecification or claims are intended to indicate that the list is notexclusive and that other elements may be included. Similarly, an elementproceeded by an “a” or an “an” does not, without further constraints,preclude the existence of additional elements of the identical type.

None of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails tosatisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act,nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended coverage ofsuch subject matter is hereby disclaimed. Except as just stated in thisparagraph, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended orshould be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step,feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public,regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

The abstract is provided to help the reader quickly ascertain the natureof the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, various features in the foregoing detaileddescription are grouped together in various embodiments to streamlinethe disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted asrequiring claimed embodiments to require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing onits own as separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aperture engine array comprising: one or moreaperture engine panels, wherein each aperture engine panel includes anantenna layer configured to receive and/or transmit radiofrequencyenergy (RF) over a range of frequencies, wherein the antenna layer issubstantially lacunar so as to allow incident radiation to pass throughto an adjacent layer; a solar cell layer including a panel of solarcells configured to absorb incident radiation and provide power, whereinthe solar cell layer is operative as a power source for the transmissionand/or reception of RF energy; and a backplane layer, at least a portionof which contains a surface reflective to RF energy.
 2. The apertureengine array of claim 1, wherein the array is configured for radioastronomy.
 3. The aperture engine array according of claim 2, whereinthe array is configured as a very-long-baseline interferometry (VBLI)array, a SETI array, or a ULW array.
 4. The aperture engine arrayaccording of claim 1, wherein the array is implemented on a vehicle. 5.The aperture engine array according of claim 1, wherein the array isimplemented on a satellite.
 6. The aperture engine array according ofclaim 1, wherein the array is implemented on a vessel.
 7. The apertureengine array of claim 1, wherein the array is ground-based.
 8. Theaperture engine array of claim 1, wherein the antenna layer includestransparent elements.
 9. The aperture engine array of claim 1, where theone or more aperture engine panels comprises a single aperture enginepanel.
 10. The aperture engine array of claim 1, further comprising atransceiver configured to receive power from the solar cell layer. 11.The aperture engine array of claim 10, where the multiple layers areconfigured to provide power storage for power produced by the solar celllayer.
 12. The aperture engine array of claim 10, further comprising adata acquisition and processing unit configured to receive power fromthe solar cell layer.
 13. The aperture engine of claim 1, wherein theantenna layer comprises an array of antennas disposed on a dielectricsubstrate.
 14. The aperture engine array of claim 13, wherein theantenna layer has a degree of lacunarity of about 30%.
 15. The apertureengine array of claim 13, wherein the antenna layer has a degree oflacunarity of about 40%.
 16. The aperture engine array of claim 13,wherein the antenna layer has a degree of lacunarity of about 50%. 17.The aperture engine array of claim 13, wherein the antenna layer has adegree of lacunarity of about 60%.
 18. The aperture engine array ofclaim 13, wherein the antenna layer has a degree of lacunarity of about70%.
 19. The aperture engine array of claim 13, wherein the array ofantenna elements is lacunar, wherein the dielectric substrate is notlacunar.
 20. The aperture engine array of claim 13, wherein thedielectric substrate is lacunar.
 21. The aperture engine of claim 17,wherein the antennas include fractal resonators.